Children and Parents

Children, obey(A) your parents in the Lord, because this is right. Honor your father and mother, which is the first commandment with a promise, so that it may go well with you and that you may have a long life in the land.[a][b](B) Fathers, don’t stir up anger(C) in your children, but bring them up in the training(D) and instruction of the Lord.

Slaves and Masters

Slaves, obey your human[c] masters(E) with fear and trembling,(F) in the sincerity(G) of your heart, as you would Christ. Don’t work only while being watched, as people-pleasers, but as slaves of Christ, doing God’s will(H) from your heart. Serve with a good attitude, as to the Lord and not to people,(I) knowing that whatever good each one does, slave or free, he will receive this back from the Lord. And masters, treat your slaves the same way, without threatening(J) them, because you know that both their Master and yours is in heaven, and there is no favoritism(K) with him.(L)

Christian Warfare

10 Finally, be strengthened by the Lord and by his vast strength.(M) 11 Put on(N) the full armor(O) of God so that you can stand against the schemes of the devil. 12 For our struggle is not against flesh(P) and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities,(Q) against the cosmic powers of this darkness, against evil,(R) spiritual forces in the heavens.(S) 13 For this reason take up the full armor(T) of God, so that you may be able to resist(U) in the evil day, and having prepared everything, to take your stand. 14 Stand,(V) therefore, with truth(W) like a belt around your waist, righteousness(X) like armor on your chest,(Y) 15 and your feet sandaled with readiness for the gospel of peace. 16 In every situation take up the shield(Z) of faith(AA) with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one.(AB) 17 Take the helmet(AC) of salvation and the sword(AD) of the Spirit(AE)—which is the word of God. 18 Pray(AF) at all times in the Spirit(AG) with every prayer and request, and stay alert(AH) with all perseverance and intercession for all the saints. 19 Pray also for me, that the message may be given to me when I open my mouth to make known with boldness(AI) the mystery of the gospel. 20 For this I am an ambassador(AJ) in chains. Pray that I might be bold enough to speak about it as I should.

Paul’s Farewell

21 Tychicus,(AK) our dearly loved brother and faithful servant[d] in the Lord, will tell you all the news about me so that you may be informed. 22 I am sending him to you for this very reason, to let you know how we are and to encourage(AL) your hearts.(AM)

23 Peace to the brothers and sisters, and love with faith, from God the Father(AN) and the Lord Jesus Christ. 24 Grace be with all who have undying love for our Lord Jesus Christ.[e][f]

Footnotes

  1. 6:3 Or life on the earth
  2. 6:2–3 Ex 20:12
  3. 6:5 Lit according to the flesh
  4. 6:21 Or deacon
  5. 6:24 Other mss add Amen.
  6. 6:24 Lit all who love our Lord Jesus Christ in incorruption

Children and Parents

Children, obey your parents in the Lord,[a] for this is right. “Honor your father and mother”—this is the first commandment with a promise(A) “so that it may be well with you and you may live long on the earth.”

And, fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord.(B)

Slaves and Masters

Slaves, obey your earthly masters with respect[b] and trembling, in singleness of heart, as you obey Christ,(C) not with a slavery performed merely for looks, to please people, but as slaves of Christ, doing the will of God from the soul. Render service with enthusiasm, as for the Lord and not for humans, knowing that whatever good we do, we will receive the same again from the Lord, whether we are enslaved or free.

And, masters,[c] do the same to them. Stop threatening them, for you know that both of you have the same Lord[d] in heaven, and with him there is no partiality.(D)

The Whole Armor of God

10 Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his power; 11 put on the whole armor of God, so that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil, 12 for our[e] struggle is not against blood and flesh but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers of this present[f] darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places.[g](E) 13 Therefore take up the whole armor of God, so that you may be able to withstand on the evil day and, having prevailed against everything, to stand firm.(F) 14 Stand, therefore, and belt your waist with truth and put on the breastplate of righteousness(G) 15 and lace up your sandals in preparation for the gospel of peace. 16 With all of these,[h] take the shield of faith, with which you will be able to quench all the flaming arrows of the evil one.(H) 17 Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.(I) 18 Pray in the Spirit at all times in every prayer and supplication. To that end, keep alert and always persevere in supplication for all the saints.(J) 19 Pray also for me, so that when I speak a message may be given to me to make known with boldness the mystery of the gospel,[i](K) 20 for which I am an ambassador in chains. Pray that I may declare it boldly, as I must speak.(L)

Personal Matters and Benediction

21 So that you also may know how I am and what I am doing, Tychicus will tell you everything. He is a dear brother and a faithful minister in the Lord.(M) 22 I am sending him to you for this very purpose, to let you know how we are and to encourage your hearts.

23 Peace be to the brothers and sisters and love with faith, from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.(N) 24 Grace be with all who have an undying love for[j] our Lord Jesus Christ.[k]

Footnotes

  1. 6.1 Other ancient authorities lack in the Lord
  2. 6.5 Or fear
  3. 6.9 In Gk the same word is used for master and Lord
  4. 6.9 In Gk the same word is used for master and Lord
  5. 6.12 Other ancient authorities read your
  6. 6.12 Gk lacks present
  7. 6.12 Gk heavenlies
  8. 6.16 Or In all circumstances
  9. 6.19 Other ancient authorities lack of the gospel
  10. 6.24 Or Grace immortal be with all who love
  11. 6.24 Other ancient authorities add Amen